Finding Balance 37

It turned out the Great Hall wasn't as different from the one on Berk as Hiccup thought. Sure it was inside a castle and there wasn't a great big hearth in the centre, and maybe it was a little more elegant but once it started filling with people those differences became minor and feel into the background. Not everyone from the city came to celebrate, just those of the upper class, which quickly explained why Viggo wanted to riders to change their clothing. There was a surprising number that took quite an interest in the riders and Toothless once Viggo announced who they were. Many steered clear of Toothless, probably due to a fear of Nightfuries or lack of actual interaction with dragons that was most like left to soldiers or actual Hunters. Snotlout found himself right at home as he regaled them with tales of their adventures, somehow placing himself as the leader or Hiccup's trusty second-in-command. Hiccup left him to it. Fishlegs was there to correct him if need be. It seemed all the riders had become comfortable talking with the Hunters, at least the Hunters who no longer saw them as the enemy. There were still a few who were unhappy with their presence, and given the loss of loved ones, Hiccup could not blame them.

Hiccup attention was elsewhere and he frowned as he looked around. Astrid had not returned and that had worried him at first until a scoot informed him that she was on the Ice Breaker with Ryker. He wasn't sure what to think of that but instinctively knew she was safe. Despite all Ryker's bluster he was also very protective of friends and allies. He and Astrid may not like one another but she was important to Hiccup which made her important to their alliance so Ryker would do everything in his power to keep her safe. Astrid may not feel the same but she would do her duty.

A uproar of cheers startled him out of his thoughts. He turned toward the grand doors to see a surprised Dagur standing there, eyes wide as he looked toward the few Berserkers who were at the ball. They were unrecognizable at first, each of higher rank and dressed for the occasion. Dagur was dressed in finery as well but didn't as comfortable in the soft fabrics. If anything, he looked like a deer caught in the sight of a crossbow knowing he was about to die. Heather was next to him, an arm around his waist. It took a moment for Hiccup to realize Dagur had discarded his crutches and was trying to walk on his own which explained why his sister was there supporting him. She gave Hiccup a shy smile before leading Dagur to the nearest table which just so happened to be where he was with his riders.

"Hey," she greeted, sitting next to Dagur.

"Hey," Hiccup returned with a warm smile. He glanced at Dagur once more and was taken back by another realization. "Did you cut your hair and shave?"

The Berserker pursed his lips in annoyance. "She did it. I didn't have muvh say in it," he grumbled, folding his arms across his chest.

"I had to tie him down. His hair was a rat's nest and beard even worse," Heather explained.

"I was fine," Dagur objected.

"For what it's worth, it looks good," Hiccup soothed.

Dagur's head jerked toward him, shocked at first then happy. "Really? Thanks, Hiccup. That's so...so sweet."

"If he starts crying again, he's your problem," Heather warned as Dagur teared up.

Hiccup raised his hands. "Okay...okay, Dagur, it looks good. It really does. Maybe it'll grow in even this time." He wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't used to this side of Dagur.

"I got this," Ruffnut announced. She got up and rounded the table to stand next to Dagur.

Dagur looked at her utterly befuddled as she held out her hand to him. "What are you doing?"

"Being a friend. Now get up and let's go give those legs a work out before they become noodles like Hiccup's," she teased as she grabbed his hand and all but dragged him out of his seat.

The Berserker glanced back at Hiccup but the rider only shrugged in response. He had no idea what Ruffnut was up to. It took all his will power not to laugh when she dragged Dagur out onto the dance floor, the Berserker stumbling as he tried to find his footing.

"Maybe I should have the healer on stand by," Heather mused.

"Healers?" Tuffnut scoffed. "I'm the one that has to let Mom know Ruff may be bring home a Berserker for dinner in the near future."

Snotlout nodded. "Yeah, that Berserker being Dagur of all people."

"I don't know," Fishlegs added, placing his chin in that palm of his hand as he watched. "They kind of look cute together."

Hiccup nodded with a smile as Ruffnut directed one of Dagur's hand to her waist while holding the other. It was a very uncoordinated dance, more like swaying but Ruffnut seemed happy. Dagur looked more confused and scared than anything. He was definitely out of his depth right now. Hiccup could help but laugh. It seemed so funny seeing Dagur this way when all he was doing was dancing with someone. This wasn't a battle.

He patted Dagur on the back as he passed and flashed Ruffnut a grin. "Be gentle on him," he teased.

"No promises," she shot back.

Dagur swallowed the lumped in his throat and looked at Hiccup desperately. "Brother?"

"You'll be fine," Hiccup assured, walking away backwards. "Ruffnut knows what she's doing...sort of."

He left Dagur to fend for himself, certain the Berserker wouldn't try anything rash for fear of being dropped on his butt.

Viggo was on the low dias silently watching his guests with a chalice of wine in one hand as one of the jarls talked away about something that clearly bored the Hunter chief. The moment he spotted Hiccup coming his way he gave the other man a nod that obviously indicated their conversation was over. He turned away from the other man and stared at Hiccup in what could only be adoration.

"My dear Hiccup, you look exquisite," he said, stepping toward Hiccup and inspecting him head to toe. "I knew that shade of green would accentuate your eyes perfectly."

Hiccup chuckled. "I never met anyone who had such an eye for fashion."

"Ah...but clothes say a lot about a man," Viggo explained. "You are of royal blood, a prince. It is time to look the part. Tattered tunics and soot smudged armor if fine for a warrior, even a warrior prince in the heat of battle. It is not the attire one should wear in a public setting, especially one with so many nobles." He stepped back and clasped his hands behind him. "I hope your friends were not offended by having to dress appropriately for this event. I see Lady Astrid did not attend."

Hiccup's smile fell and he shrugged his shoulders. "She's a shield maiden and plan's to join the Berkian Royal Guard. Gowns and balls are not really her thing."

The older man hummed softly and gave a nod. "They're not yours either yet you made a point to come because I asked. I had hoped she would as well. Petty. She would have looked quite lovely in that gown...but not as much as Heather."

Hiccup raised a brow and glanced toward Heather who was giggling as she helped Dagur dance with Ruffnut.

Viggo placed a hand on his shoulder. "When I first met her she wanted nothing more than her brother dead. Even undercover you could feel the hatred she had toward him. Now she cares for him as if he is her entire world. Funny how quickly things can change."

"He's all she has left," Hiccup answered. He smiled when the other riders joined Ruffnut in what must have been a weird type of jiggle dance that had all of them and the Berserker siblings laughing.

"She also has you and your riders," Viggo observed. "There may only be six in your team but with Dagur and Heather your numbers have increased. With riders they almost triple." His voice lowered to just above a whisper as he took both Hiccup's shoulders and pressed his body against the youth's backside. "Think about it, Hiccup. How many riders can you train? How many tribes in North Lands would pay to have their warriors trained to fly dragons. You asked me what would sale more than dragons? Trained dragons. And you would control them all. You could name your price and jarls and chieftains would pay it to protect there people. You could form an entire dragon army with reaches far past the Archipelago. And in doing so protect your own tribe, your friends, your family...your lovers. I can help you do that, Hiccup. You could be the most powerful man in the world, without battling anyone. No one would ever consider turning against you. Six months is more than enough time to get you started and I already have clients lining up to discuss it. Each with dragons they will give to train. Each willing to give up dragon hunting in order to learn to fly...to defend their homes." His lips brushed against Hiccup's ear. "All willing to bow before you."

Hiccup was stunned as Viggo's hands slid down his shoulders to his upper arms and gave a gentle squeeze.

"I don't want anyone to bow to me," he answered, but his voice held no power. He felt strangely light headed even though he had had nothing to drink, no food to eat, so could not be poisoned or drugged. Perhaps it was the tone of Viggo's voice, powerfully seductive and causing his insides to churn with need.

Viggo hummed behind him. "And that, my love, is what marks you as a good leader and one day a great chief."

Hiccup turned to face him. "I already agreed to stay, why try pouring on the charm? I have no interest in power or wealth."

Viggo's smile didn't falter. "You said you wanted to help replace dragon hunting with something just as profitable. You, my boy, hold the key."

Hiccup's smile fell. "Are you serious?"

"Completely."

The youth stared at him for a moment then glanced back at his friends. His stomach felt as if it fell to the floor and he suddenly felt hot but not in the good way he often did with Viggo.

"I need to get some air," he announced, heading toward the balcony.

He felt faint and now he knew why. What Viggo was proposing was far too much like when Alvin the Treacherous had captured him years ago and tried talking him into working together to take over the Archipelago. The situation was different and Alvin wanted to rule not make a profit but it still felt far to similar.

Although the more people that knew how to partner with a dragon and fly then the more protected dragons would be. He felt torn. This was something Astrid was good at helping him figure out, or his Dad, or Gobber. He needed to weigh the pros and cons. If the surrounding tribes were Peaceables defending their homes then it be a good thing but if they were warring nations then they might turn the dragons into war machines. Hiccup knew that first hand. He and the rider never meant to use their dragons to fight other tribes, but it happened. If it could happen to them it could happen to anyone.

He stared out over the sea, his mind in turmoil. Was he making a mistake in staying? Was it time to go home with his friends and simply take comfort in the war with the Hunters being over. Was it over? If he left would Viggo go back to his old ways to ensure a profit for his tribe? He felt trapped between a rock and a hard place and was thankful when Toothless nuzzled his side. He had forgotten all about his best friend being with him.

"I'm okay, bud, just trying to clear my head," he explained, leaning into Toothless as he ran his fingers over his head.

"As you should," Viggo said, coming up behind him and wrapping him in a large fur cloak. "I should have waited until after the ball to bring it up. Some of my advisers brought it up and I thought it best to mention before my attention went elsewhere."

Hiccup shrugged. "The thing is, I've been in this situation before...well not quite like this but where someone wanted me to train their dragons. If I had he would have used them to destroy Berk." He sighed softly as he looked out over the broken ice. "I know this sounds hypocritical, but I really don't want to see people flying off to war on dragons. Defending is one thing but how long before defensive becomes offensive?"

Viggo's grip on his arms tightened slightly. "I see," the man answered. His grip loosened. "But I ask that you think about it further. Together we could accomplish amazing things." He pulled Hiccup back a little so they were pressed together. "We're already perfect for each other."

The warmth of Viggo at his back made Hiccup relax. He still wasn't certain about training dragons for other tribes but he would give it some more thought and discuss it with the others. If there was a way to make it safe proof then perhaps.

He closed his eyes and leaned back into Viggo, oddly content in the man's arms. If it wasn't full the ball he could have dozed off. It was too noisy, too many people. He much preferred the balcony where the music and chatter was not so loud. He had Toothless at his side and Viggo at his back and...

"What's that?"

...Apparently Fishlegs on the other side of Toothless.

Opening his eyes, Hiccup glanced n the direction his friend and Toothless were. There was a larger Hunter ship headed toward shore. Hiccup only recognized it due to the shape but it was still far off and little more than an outline.

"That's the Ice Breaker," Viggo said proudly. He gave Hiccup's arms another light squeeze. "However, it shouldn't be heading back just yet. I suppose the depth of the ice was exaggerated."

It was a pleasant surprise of Hiccup. With luck Astrid would be back in time for at least one dance, even if she didn't wear the dress.

"No, I mean behind the Ice Breaker," Fishlegs explained. He fished through the pouch on his belt, the one thing he kept with him at all times, and pulled out a small spy glass.

Hiccup pulled away from Viggo and tried to see what Fishlegs was talking about. All he saw was the Ice Breaker.

Fishlegs was pointing to something behind the Ice Breaker but it was too far for Hiccup to make out with the naked eye.

"It's another ship, I think. It's huge," Fishlegs told them.

Hiccup reached for the spy glass but Viggo took it from Fishlegs first.

"That's not one of mine," Viggo said as he looked through the spy glass. He was silent for several long seconds. His face suddenly grew deathly pale. "No," he breathed, lowering the spy glass. There was fear in his voice. Genuine fear.

Hiccup pulled away from him. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Viggo glanced at him with wide eyes but didn't answer. He looked back out to sea then quickly glanced inside at the celebration. "Gather your friends and stay by my throne," he said sternly. He didn't give Hiccup a chance to say anything. He dashed back into the Great Hall.

Hiccup looked to Fishlegs in confusion then together went back inside to find their friends. They were back at their table, Dagur sitting with his left leg up and resting on the bench behind Heather, dubbing as a backrest for his sister as everyone joked around. The twins were revealing everyone with stories of their first time flying Barf and Belch. Dagur was wide and listening intently, nodding when appropriate. Snotlout interupted quite often to had his two sense to it.

Dagur was the first to notice Hiccup and he gave a wide grin in greeting. "Brother!"

Hiccup gave him a nod. "Hey. Look, something's up. Viggo wants us to move over to his throne."

"Why? What's wrong?" Heather asked, turning in her seat to face him.

"Yeah, we were having fun," Snotlout added. "We were about to give Dagster a run down on dragon flying."

"Dag-ur," Dagur corrected, giving Snotlout an annoyed look. He turned his attention back to Hiccup, suddenly serious. "What's going on?"

Hiccup glanced around but he couldn't see Viggo. "I don't know but Viggo is freaking out so it can't be good."

Fishlegs nodded next to him. "There's a monster size ship following the Ice Breaker in. I've never seen anything this large. I don't know if Ryker's going to make it back before it overtakes him."

Dagur's face paled. He quickly got to his, stumbled to the point Hiccup had to catch him, then straightened. He frowned at his legs but only grimaced instead of losing his cool. "I need to see it. We should fly out and..."

"No one is flying anywhere," Viggo said sternly as he and his honor guard approached the group. "All dragons are grounded and to be kept stabled until further notice. Including Toothless."

Hiccup's jaw dropped but it was the Twins that snapped first.

"You can't do that!" Ruffnut yelled, slamming her first on the table.

"Yeah, they're OUR dragons!" Tuffnut shouted, just as riled as his sister.

Heather was much calmer. "Viggo, who's on that ship?" she asked. She kept a hand on Dagur's shoulder, the elder Berserker agitated but fighting to keep his temper in check. He may not be an actual Dragon Rider but seemed to empathise with them.

Viggo spared Dagur a glance then turned to Heather. "A war lord. I do not wish him to know about you or your dragons."

"Why?" asked Snotlout. "If he's a war lord then let's take out our war machines and take him down."

"Snotlout," Hiccup reprimanded after recovering from his surprise. "Viggo, what can we do? We can help."

The look Viggo gave him made him shy back a little. He had never seen Viggo so angry or frightened all at once. The man's gaze flickered to Toothless then back to Hiccup.

"You can help by doing as I say. This is not someone you can beat in a fight. His dragons are far more powerful than yours. If you wish for them and your riders to survive you will do as I say this instant with no more questions," Viggo answered, his gaze dark.

"But..."

"No more questions!"

Hiccup took a surprised step back.

Viggo's gaze softened but only a little. "Escort him to his chambers," he told the guard to his right. "And them to theirs." He nodded toward the rest of the riders and Berserker siblings.

"What about the Nightfury, my Lord?" The guard on the right asked.

Viggo gave Hiccup a pointed look. The youth glared at him, holding his gaze for several long moments before finally sighing and relenting.

"Fine, I'll take him to the stables...but only if you promise to explain everything," he agreed, his arms folded across his chest. It lost a little of it's effect by being hidden under the thick fur cloak.

"Of course," Viggo promised. He took Hiccup's hand and pulled him toward him. "I need you to trust me, Hiccup. Remember what I told about the War Lord hunting down Dragon Whisperers? This is the man Johann had been working for. If he finds out you're alive he will destroy everything to get to you. I won't allow that." He kissed the back of Hiccup's hand. "I won't lose you again. Please, take Toothless to the staples and go directly to your chambers. I'll come to you soon."

Hiccup stared up at him. With a sigh he nodded and pulled away. "Alright. Just be careful."

"I'll send Astrid to her chambers as soon as she arrives," Viggo promised. "With luck Drago will only want to talk. If not..."

He didn't need to finish. The last thing any of them wanted was a repeat of the fire, but Hiccup was not content standing on the sidelines. And he certainly wasn't happy having Toothless or his friends locked in their chambers. It might not be a cell but it was still a prison it's own way.